Internet Sales Tax Bill Gaining Momentum

[kcorp2003]

[citation][nom]Kami3k[/nom]Um what? Oh god did you even bother to listen one in history class?"No taxation without representation"It was just no taxation.And before you idiots reply to me with your free market bs, even the founding fathers put taxes on things like whiskey.[/citation]

yes you are correct, sir.
But ever walk into congress where a bill is being passed? most of these people vote on something they have no idea about not to mention they don't show up most of the time. But it was also unfair taxes that caused the american revolution.

 

[punahou1]

HP has been been operating suspiciously for at least two years. Hawaii law is very clear that you have to have a physical presence in the state to charge its sales tax. HP began collecting on line taxes from Hawaii purchases two years ago. HP has not had a presence in Hawaii for at least 10 years. When I mentioned that I would be contacting the State to determine if they were submitting the taxes they collected, my accounts were then mysteriously credited for the tax they had collected. Just curious what they did with the tax collected by others who did not complain...

 

[frankpakdmys]

NO NEW TAXES!!!

 

[teh_chem]

[citation][nom]Sakkura[/nom]This isn't a new tax. This is closing a loophole people were exploiting to illegally avoid a tax that had been there all along. [/citation]
AGREED! Wish others would understand this for what it is. Some moron with a petition clipboard was walking around outside of a Borders Books one day, ranting about a new "Internet Tax" that the big bad gumint was going to start imposing on online transactions. I said, "oh, you mean standard sales tax? Don't you think that people buying things online in a state that imposes sales tax ought to be paying the tax that they're obligated to pay?"

I'm all for imposing sales tax at the time of purchase. Legally, people who are not imposed sales tax at the transaction are obligated to report it on their income tax return anyway, so theoretically this is not hurting anyone. Except very few people actually do this.

The big thing is how people think that Amazon is "tax-free" and discuss the fact that something they buy from there is "cheaper" than something in-store because they don't have to pay tax. Which is not the case at all. It gives an unfair advantage to etailers over B&M stores, and I think that's a dangerous situation to allow to be played out.

Impose sales tax at the transaction and at least have a modicum of fairness to which etailers aren't granted access to a giant loophole.

Or don't require physical businesses to impose sales tax either, and see where that gets things...

 

[Martell1977]

I have no problem paying sales tax on online purchases as I already do when buying from newegg and sometimes from amazon. Really is no good reason not to.

However, once the lobby for this realizes that online prices are generally cheaper and common free shipping are probably a bigger reason people shop online as much as they do, they will probably push for some kind of "convenience tax". I recently bought a DVD burner off newegg, $19, free shipping and 8.75% CA sales tax, which was a heck of alot cheaper than the $55 one in a nearby store (same brand and model). I understand a store having overhead but that much of a markup is outrageous.

Taxes should never be levied as a form of equalization, it hurts everyone. Capitalism keeps prices in check via competition and innovation. Its when there is price fixing, over-regulation, punitive taxation and other corruption, that things go wrong (i.e. insider trading by politicians as a form of kickback for not voting certain ways)

 

[schiwing]

What excuse will the lobbyists make once this tax law is in place and Amazon is still selling more than the brick and mortar stores?
People don't go to Amazon simply because there might not be tax enforced in their state...

Amazon: Product availability, convenience, great customer support, and a free shipping option.
Best Buy: Limited product selection, inconvenient, average Tom's reader knows more than an employee, and you spend your time and gas to drive to and from the store.

 

[timw03878]

Tax = Theft

If I hold you at gunpoint and tell you to give me your money so I can give it to someone else I go to jail.

But somehow when the IRS does it thru force of arms if you don't comply.. It's ok.
The only distinction? One is legal theft, and one is not.

Both are immoral.

 

[xerroz]

Amazon completely blows away the customer service of any other major retailer and most brick and mortar stores. People don't go to Amazon to evade taxes (which people in my state have to pay), people go to Amazon because it offers one of the most excellent levels of customer service today. That same customer service is still just as prevalent on the other sites they've bought such as Zappos.

 

[back_by_demand]

I think that sales tax, physical store or online, should be a fixed rate nationwide. You give me one good reason why the sales tax on a laptop should be 4 times higher in Illinois than it is in Montana? OK individual States like to raise more money, but seriously, wanting to bludge citizens for more money just because you can is not a good reason, Federalise the sales tax rates.

 

[Guest]

I'm all for an internet tax, basically because the money that government used to have through sales of electronics, books, etc, say up to about 12-15 years ago, has dried up because people often buy that stuff online, from some place out of state, and never pay a sales tax on it. That's billions and billions of dollars that the U.S. does not have at its' disposal (both good and bad uses). While people want to b!tch about more taxes, vast majority of people can deal with an increase. It sucks, but so what? Is your life horrible now, because you had to spend an extra $60 on a build? or an extra dollar on a book? If so many people can afford iPhones, internet, HDTV's, cable, Bluray, PS3, $60 games, etc, you can sure as hell pay a little more taxes to help our currently ailing country. It's not a total cure for economic problems, but it sure as hell won't hurt, an could go a long way in helping out your country. I don't even want to hear anyone complaining, it's been a looooong time coming (internet taxes).

 

[drwho1]

This is Nonsense, and I hope that this bill never pass.

I will buy whenever is convenient for ME, this includes better product, service and saves me money.
If it happens to be LOCAL, then I go to the store, if it happens to be online, then, that where I "go".

This is how we live in America...
We pay taxes for any money we make, we pay taxes if we spend that money that we already paid taxes on....

 

[JDFan]

If they want to tax it they need to first get all states to have level tax amounts -- how is an online business suppose to know how much tax a certain locality is charging what with each State - Local and County charging a different rate not to mention that every business would then have to mail the collected tax to every state and local govt. office at years end - so the paperwork alone would be impossible for businesses as they would have to break down yearly sales to each locality and then send thousands of checks to each local govt office that they sold a product to - unless the states wanted to send each local branch of govt. their local portion of the revenue.

Or are they proposing that only the State sales tax is charged in which case then what is each county and local branch going to do about getting their share of the revenue -- Sue the state using Tax Payer money ? And what happens if the internet stores are required to collect more than a person pays at the local level do they have to sue to get the difference refunded.

 

[beoza]

While I don't have a problem with a state collecting sales taxes made on online purchases this is not an area where the Federal government has any jurisdiction, let alone do I want them to get their grubby little hands on money that belongs to any state. I submit to you 2 lines from the US Constitution:
Section 8 "To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;"
and
Section 9 "No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State."

The last one makes it quite clear that sales tax is an issue for the states to work out not the Federal Government. They may be able to regulate commerce among the states but any tax is a State right not the governments. The individual states want sales tax to be collected then they have to all work together to hammer out agreements on the collection of said tax, some states have already done so with neighboring states.

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html/

 

[mleejr]

[citation][nom]Granter[/nom]As a swede, i laugh how you US people react to this..[/citation]
Maybe we should start spamming Sweedish forums and telling you you should be more Capitalist and less stupid. Enjoy your Communism idiot. Stop trying to spread your idiocy. Communism/Socialism/Liberalism is the refuge of the moron.

 

[memadmax]

It don't matter.
We have a central banking system with too much power and it will all come crashing down, regardless of what we do...

 

[mleejr]

We don't even need taxes. You are all sheep. 80% of the revenue for the government is entitlement spending anyway. That's not even STARTING to touch government pork (waste), education (waste), etc. Privatize everything. People that like any Government 'service' over competitive/Capitalist services is an idiot.

 

[mleejr]

"The Marketplace Equity Act is sponsored by Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark."
A Republican co-sponsored this bill?! And they wondered why people are giving up on the Republican party?! No different than the democrats. Tar and feather this Mother F&#Ker.

 

[back_by_demand]

[citation][nom]mleejr[/nom]Maybe we should start spamming Sweedish forums and telling you you should be more Capitalist and less stupid. Enjoy your Communism idiot. Stop trying to spread your idiocy. Communism/Socialism/Liberalism is the refuge of the moron.[/citation]
Sweden isn't a communist nation and I think you missed the point here, he isn't attacking your nation, he is laughing at the fact that the very system that but-f**king you is the one you are so desperate to maintain
...
The whole thing about the revolution and taxes was about "No taxation without representation"
...
Well you got your representation, and all tax your ass, so what are you gonna do now?

 

[f-14]

taxed for spending money, taxed for having money, taxed for receiving money. now every state wants to lay claim to tax for just selling something to some one in that state.
next will be a tax on products just because the communication hubs that the transactions were processed thru means they have a right to tax the sale also.
oh wait they already do that to telecoms.
never underestimate the greed of the corrupt when it comes to lining their pockets and that of their constituents.

 

[spasmolytic46]

[citation][nom]mleejr[/nom] 80% of the revenue for the government is entitlement spending anyway. That's not even STARTING to touch government pork (waste), education (waste), etc. Privatize everything. People that like any Government 'service' over competitive/Capitalist services is an idiot.[/citation]

You sir may want to check your figures.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:U.S._Federal_Spending_-_FY_2011.png

I'd also like to say that social security, medicaid, and medicare are not entitlements. They are insurance programs. Insurance programs that I have paid into my whole working life and any attempt to take them away from Americans is theft. We have paid for it and we will continue to pay for it. Attempts to call these entitlements is only true in the sense that I'm entitled to actually get goods & services I've paid for.

 

[A Bad Day]

[citation][nom]chromonoid[/nom]If you think that tax money is actually spent in making our roads prettier or schools better you are a fool.[/citation]

And where do you think they're going to get the money without additional revenue? My state is allowing legalized gambling and hiking property/income taxes.

 

[knight_of_baawa]

Inheritance tax is in place to combat the growth of a plutocracy,

Why should we tax one gift (inheritance) and not another (a small birthday gift)? If you tax one, you have to tax the other, lest you be a hypocrite.

 

[spasmolytic46]

[citation][nom]knight_of_baawa[/nom]Why should we tax one gift (inheritance) and not another (a small birthday gift)? If you tax one, you have to tax the other, lest you be a hypocrite.[/citation]

Perhaps if you knew the definition of plutocracy you would know why one should be taxed and the other left alone. Let me help you http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plutocracy

 

[ttcboy]

Online sales have been a sore spot for brick-and-mortar stores for years, citing an unlevel playing field between them and their online retailer counterparts. The competition is reportedly causing mom-and-pop businesses to close shop.

If the government really want to help the local brick-and-motor store and level the playing field for all the retailers, simple.. Just remove all the sales tax. done..

They are just giving stupid excuses to take more money from tax payers for them to spend.

 

[okibrian]

[citation][nom]chromonoid[/nom]I wish there was a revolution in this country, i totally hate this capitalist system... dont get me wrong i own 2 McDonals and i make tons of money thanks to them but whenever i see someone buying from my stores i fell like i am ripping them off....and thats simply not ok... i would totally agree if they double my taxes...but applying more and more taxes to persons with average incomes simply pisses me off[/citation]
All you're saying is tax the rich more and stop screwing the poor so much. Let everyone pay a fair share. I can agree with that. +1 for you.